The Twins are undoubtedly a better team right now. That may change when the Yankees get healthy, but for now it's certainly true. Only a die-hard Yankees fan would think otherwise.
******Official Twins 2019 thread*****
- Thread starter ChisHawk81
- Start date
The Twins are undoubtedly a better team right now. That may change when the Yankees get healthy, but for now it's certainly true. Only a die-hard Yankees fan would think otherwise.
I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. Both teams have played relatively easy schedules so far this season.
I give both teams credit for beating teams they should beat. The Twins have absolutely over performed so far and that is just an amazing accomplishment when you look at their roster.
I may be wrong, but I've always said having Mauer on the team was holding them back. Perhaps him being gone is the reason for this season's success.
Ho, hum, the soon to be WORLD SERIES CHAMPION Minnesota Twins won again today, this time beating the ChiSox 7-0. The Twins swept the 3 game series.
The Twins hit 2 HOME RUNS in this game.
The Twins have played 52 games & have hit 104 HOME RUNS. They are only the 2nd team in baseball history to reach 100 homers by the 50-game mark. The Mariners, with Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez in the lineup in 1999, are the only other team in history to reach triple-digit homers in 50 games, with 102.
The MLB home run season record was set by the New York Yankees last year (267).
The Twins also have the most runs (315) in the majors.
The Twins have a plus-111 run differential, best in the majors. Next best is Houston at plus 89.
As you can see, the Twins play as well away as they do at home:
18-8 HOME Record
18-8 AWAY Record
----------------------------
36-16 (.692) Overall Record
We are 52 games into the season. The season is almost 1/3 OVER!
The Twins have the BEST RECORD in all of baseball.
The Twins are on pace to win 112 games (112-50) this year.
The Twins have an 10 game lead over 2nd place Cleveland in the AL Central.
#GoTWINS
The Twins hit 2 HOME RUNS in this game.
The Twins have played 52 games & have hit 104 HOME RUNS. They are only the 2nd team in baseball history to reach 100 homers by the 50-game mark. The Mariners, with Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez in the lineup in 1999, are the only other team in history to reach triple-digit homers in 50 games, with 102.
The MLB home run season record was set by the New York Yankees last year (267).
The Twins also have the most runs (315) in the majors.
The Twins have a plus-111 run differential, best in the majors. Next best is Houston at plus 89.
As you can see, the Twins play as well away as they do at home:
18-8 HOME Record
18-8 AWAY Record
----------------------------
36-16 (.692) Overall Record
We are 52 games into the season. The season is almost 1/3 OVER!
The Twins have the BEST RECORD in all of baseball.
The Twins are on pace to win 112 games (112-50) this year.
The Twins have an 10 game lead over 2nd place Cleveland in the AL Central.
#GoTWINS
Amazing what pitching and letting your batters swing away will do. I'm loving this season.
the temp has been in the low 70s over the last 2 days and the crowds are getting better; today was a sell out
they are fun to watch; heck when you score on average just over 6 runs a game, that's about as good as it gets
can they keep it up?
Can’t possibly keep up the power hitting but 10 game lead is pretty damn sweet.
Ok, so the Twins are hitting home runs AND they are not striking out.
Some more crazy stats from CBS Sports.com
MLB scores: Twins open 10-game lead in AL Central; A's run winning streak to nine
--Here is everything you need to know about the day in baseball
Let the record show I was the only CBS Sports scribe to pick the Twins to win the AL Central this year. I will admit to having never imagined Minnesota would own a 10-game lead -- 10 games! -- before the calendar flipped to June though.
The Twins bludgeoned the White Sox (again) on Sunday -- rookie manager Rocco Baldelli's squad swept the three-game series by the combined score of 26-5 -- while the Indians fell to the Rays (again), giving Minnesota that 10-game lead. It is the largest division lead in baseball and the Twins' largest division lead since Sept. 25, 2010.
As usual, the Twins used a quality pitching performance and home runs to secure Sunday's win. Jake Odorizzi struck out nine and allowed one hit in 5 1/3 shutout innings. Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler both clocked three-run homers. Rosario has 16 home runs on the season. Kepler has 12.
The Twins lead baseball with 104 home runs through 52 games this season -- they hit their 104th home run in their 103rd game last year -- and they aren't sacrificing contact for power. Minnesota went into Sunday's game with the third lowest strikeout rate in baseball at 19.5 percent. Only the Angels (16.4 percent) and Astros (18.2 percent) had struck out less often in 2019.
According to FanGraphs, the Twins have raised their postseason odds from 35.8 percent on Opening Day to 95.0 percent Sunday. The 59.2 percentage point increase is easily the largest in baseball. There is still a lot of season to play -- a lot -- but gosh, the Twins and every Twin fan would've signed up for a 10-game lead on May 26 no questions asked before the season.
LINK: https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/...-in-al-central-as-run-winning-streak-to-nine/
Some more crazy stats from CBS Sports.com
MLB scores: Twins open 10-game lead in AL Central; A's run winning streak to nine
--Here is everything you need to know about the day in baseball
- by Mike Axisa
- & Matt Snyder
Let the record show I was the only CBS Sports scribe to pick the Twins to win the AL Central this year. I will admit to having never imagined Minnesota would own a 10-game lead -- 10 games! -- before the calendar flipped to June though.
The Twins bludgeoned the White Sox (again) on Sunday -- rookie manager Rocco Baldelli's squad swept the three-game series by the combined score of 26-5 -- while the Indians fell to the Rays (again), giving Minnesota that 10-game lead. It is the largest division lead in baseball and the Twins' largest division lead since Sept. 25, 2010.
As usual, the Twins used a quality pitching performance and home runs to secure Sunday's win. Jake Odorizzi struck out nine and allowed one hit in 5 1/3 shutout innings. Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler both clocked three-run homers. Rosario has 16 home runs on the season. Kepler has 12.
The Twins lead baseball with 104 home runs through 52 games this season -- they hit their 104th home run in their 103rd game last year -- and they aren't sacrificing contact for power. Minnesota went into Sunday's game with the third lowest strikeout rate in baseball at 19.5 percent. Only the Angels (16.4 percent) and Astros (18.2 percent) had struck out less often in 2019.
According to FanGraphs, the Twins have raised their postseason odds from 35.8 percent on Opening Day to 95.0 percent Sunday. The 59.2 percentage point increase is easily the largest in baseball. There is still a lot of season to play -- a lot -- but gosh, the Twins and every Twin fan would've signed up for a 10-game lead on May 26 no questions asked before the season.
LINK: https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/...-in-al-central-as-run-winning-streak-to-nine/
Couple weeks late, but oh well. Finally getting the respect they deserve.
MLB.com still has them at #4, lolololol.
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Looking at things objectively, the Twins might win the division by 25 games. I can see the Indians being big sellers at the trade deadline. Their fall has been fast and hard.
I bet there will be multiple calls to the GM inquiring about available players.
From a White Sox fan, putting the Yankees in the same category as the Twins right now is laughable. The Twins, at this point, are clearly superior.
Re-grading the biggest MLB offseason signings
...two months into the season is a good time to look back on what transpired in the offseason and give some early grades. Here are some of the major offseason signings and how they have worked out so far:
The Twins
Prior to the 2018 season, coming off a wild card in 2017, the Twins waited out the market and signed Logan Morrison and Lance Lynn on the cheap (along with relievers Fernando Rodney, Zach Duke and Addison Reed). The moves didn't help much as the five players produced a combined 1.1 WAR, but Derek Falvey and Thad Levine deployed a similar strategy this offseason and the early returns are much better.
Jonathan Schoop, Twins (1 year, $7.5 million) -- An All-Star in 2017, Schoop hit just .233/.266/.416 last season and the Twins jumped on him with an early December signing. He still swings at everything, but -- like everyone on the Twins -- he's hitting for power and is making enough contact to hit .260. Grade: B+
Nelson Cruz, Twins (1 year, $14.3 million) -- The Twins also hold a 2020 option on the 38-year-old slugger. He was off to a solid start before a wrist strain sidelined him. Cruz is also a good clubhouse presence and it's hard to go wrong with a one-year deal on a player who hit at least 37 home runs the past five seasons (four of those playing home games in a tough park in Seattle). Grade: B
Marwin Gonzalez, Twins (2 years, $21 million) -- Despite his value as a utility guy, Gonzalez didn't sign until late February and was viewed as one of the winter's best bargains. He promptly hit .167 in April. He has turned it around in May and has started at four positions, plus DH. Grade: C
Martin Perez, Twins (1 year, $4 million) -- This could be the best bargain of the winter as Perez, coming off an absolutely dreadful season with the Rangers when he was one of the worst starters in the majors, added a cutter, ditched his slider and is 7-1 with a 2.95 ERA. He has one of the best soft contact rates in the game, which has allowed him to work around the walks and so-so strikeout rate. Grade: A+
In addition, the Twins claimed C.J. Cron off waivers and he's hitting .271/.337/.536 with 13 home runs. Falvey and Levine didn't break the bank -- those five players will make $41.8 million in 2019, $13.2 million less than division-rival Detroit is paying Miguel Cabrera and Jordan Zimmermann -- but all five transactions are paying dividends. Guess who has the best record in the majors?
Link to FULL STORY:
http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26848818/re-grading-biggest-mlb-offseason-signings#Twins
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior Writer- May 30, 2019
...two months into the season is a good time to look back on what transpired in the offseason and give some early grades. Here are some of the major offseason signings and how they have worked out so far:
The Twins
Prior to the 2018 season, coming off a wild card in 2017, the Twins waited out the market and signed Logan Morrison and Lance Lynn on the cheap (along with relievers Fernando Rodney, Zach Duke and Addison Reed). The moves didn't help much as the five players produced a combined 1.1 WAR, but Derek Falvey and Thad Levine deployed a similar strategy this offseason and the early returns are much better.
Jonathan Schoop, Twins (1 year, $7.5 million) -- An All-Star in 2017, Schoop hit just .233/.266/.416 last season and the Twins jumped on him with an early December signing. He still swings at everything, but -- like everyone on the Twins -- he's hitting for power and is making enough contact to hit .260. Grade: B+
Nelson Cruz, Twins (1 year, $14.3 million) -- The Twins also hold a 2020 option on the 38-year-old slugger. He was off to a solid start before a wrist strain sidelined him. Cruz is also a good clubhouse presence and it's hard to go wrong with a one-year deal on a player who hit at least 37 home runs the past five seasons (four of those playing home games in a tough park in Seattle). Grade: B
Marwin Gonzalez, Twins (2 years, $21 million) -- Despite his value as a utility guy, Gonzalez didn't sign until late February and was viewed as one of the winter's best bargains. He promptly hit .167 in April. He has turned it around in May and has started at four positions, plus DH. Grade: C
Martin Perez, Twins (1 year, $4 million) -- This could be the best bargain of the winter as Perez, coming off an absolutely dreadful season with the Rangers when he was one of the worst starters in the majors, added a cutter, ditched his slider and is 7-1 with a 2.95 ERA. He has one of the best soft contact rates in the game, which has allowed him to work around the walks and so-so strikeout rate. Grade: A+
In addition, the Twins claimed C.J. Cron off waivers and he's hitting .271/.337/.536 with 13 home runs. Falvey and Levine didn't break the bank -- those five players will make $41.8 million in 2019, $13.2 million less than division-rival Detroit is paying Miguel Cabrera and Jordan Zimmermann -- but all five transactions are paying dividends. Guess who has the best record in the majors?
Link to FULL STORY:
http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26848818/re-grading-biggest-mlb-offseason-signings#Twins
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Trade deadline will be huge.
If the Twins want to make a run they need to upgrade pitching.
Yankees will get healthier and you know they will do whatever it takes at deadline.
Twins could use another proven starter and at least one bullpen arm.
I fear come October we will see Kyle Gibson crapping himself in a must win game in New York.
If the Twins want to make a run they need to upgrade pitching.
Yankees will get healthier and you know they will do whatever it takes at deadline.
Twins could use another proven starter and at least one bullpen arm.
I fear come October we will see Kyle Gibson crapping himself in a must win game in New York.
The Tampa Bay Rays currently have the 5th best record in MLB; they are hosting the #1 team in MLB, the Twins, this weekend. The Rays' fans should be excited for this series where they show up at Tropicana Field....right?
Well, yesterday's (Saturday) announced attendance (tickets sold & distributed) was just 14,381. Actual butts in the seats? A lot less.
And they tarp off the upper deck, correct?
I thought it was funny when Sano (in Friday's game) hit a towering drive that would have been a home run if not for hitting the speaker on the catwalk of the roof. Instead of a Sano home run, the deflected ball got caught for an out. Bert Blylevin, when going to commercial, said in disgust, "Blow this place up."
Well, yesterday's (Saturday) announced attendance (tickets sold & distributed) was just 14,381. Actual butts in the seats? A lot less.
And they tarp off the upper deck, correct?
I thought it was funny when Sano (in Friday's game) hit a towering drive that would have been a home run if not for hitting the speaker on the catwalk of the roof. Instead of a Sano home run, the deflected ball got caught for an out. Bert Blylevin, when going to commercial, said in disgust, "Blow this place up."
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Fingers crossed!
As a life long Yankees fan, I'm amazed at the results with the lineup they put on the field.No Judge/Stanton/Severino/Bird/Didi for most or all of the year and extended time off for Sanchez.
Most years, the current strategy of getting washed up players at the end of their careers hasn't worked for the Twins. This year it is working. Having career years from guys like Polanco and Rosario certainly helps. And having Cleveland shit the bed doesn't hurt either.
The soon to be world champion Twins travel to Cleveland next! After we sweep them, the AL Central is over!Fingers crossed!
No Judge/Stanton/Severino/Bird/Didi for most or all of the year and extended time off for Sanchez.
Most years, the current strategy of getting washed up players at the end of their careers hasn't worked for the Twins. This year it is working. Having career years from guys like Polanco and Rosario certainly helps. And having Cleveland shit the bed doesn't hurt either.
Ho, hum, the soon to be WORLD SERIES CHAMPION Minnesota Twins won again today. The Twins took 3 of 4 games from Tampa Bay.
Jake Odorizzi (8-2) pitched six scoreless innings today to lower his AL-best ERA to 1.96. The 29-year-old has not allowed a run in six of his last seven starts.
The Twins have played 58 games (40-18). It's the fastest Minnesota has reached 40 wins.
Minnesota extended its franchise single-season record of scoring three-or-more runs to 26 consecutive games.
Marwin Gonzalez played right field for the Twins in his fourth different starting position during the series. Gonzalez also started at third, shortstop and first base. "He's like a one-man stress reliever," Baldelli said.
The Twins have played 58 games & have hit 107 HOME RUNS. They were only the 2nd team in baseball history to reach 100 homers by the 50-game mark. The Mariners, with Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez in the lineup in 1999, are the only other team in history to reach triple-digit homers in 50 games, with 102.
The MLB home run season record was set by the New York Yankees last year (267).
The Twins have the most runs scored (347) in the majors. They are averaging 5.98 runs scored per game.
The Twins have a plus-109 run differential, best in the majors. Next best is Houston at plus 99.
As you can see, the Twins play as well away as they do at home:
19-9 (.679) HOME Record
21-9 (.700) AWAY Record
----------------------------
40-18 (.690) Overall Record
The Twins have the BEST RECORD in all of baseball.
The Twins are on pace to win 112 games (112-50) this year.
The Twins have an 11.5 game lead over 2nd place Cleveland/ChiSox in the AL Central.
The Top 4 teams in MLB appear clear. UNFORTUNATELY, 3 of the 4 reside in the American League.
Top 4 Teams:
40-18 Soon to be World Series CHAMPION Twins
41-19 Los Angeles Dodgers
40-20 Houston Astros
38-20 New York Yankees
#GoTWINS
Jake Odorizzi (8-2) pitched six scoreless innings today to lower his AL-best ERA to 1.96. The 29-year-old has not allowed a run in six of his last seven starts.
The Twins have played 58 games (40-18). It's the fastest Minnesota has reached 40 wins.
Minnesota extended its franchise single-season record of scoring three-or-more runs to 26 consecutive games.
Marwin Gonzalez played right field for the Twins in his fourth different starting position during the series. Gonzalez also started at third, shortstop and first base. "He's like a one-man stress reliever," Baldelli said.
The Twins have played 58 games & have hit 107 HOME RUNS. They were only the 2nd team in baseball history to reach 100 homers by the 50-game mark. The Mariners, with Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez in the lineup in 1999, are the only other team in history to reach triple-digit homers in 50 games, with 102.
The MLB home run season record was set by the New York Yankees last year (267).
The Twins have the most runs scored (347) in the majors. They are averaging 5.98 runs scored per game.
The Twins have a plus-109 run differential, best in the majors. Next best is Houston at plus 99.
As you can see, the Twins play as well away as they do at home:
19-9 (.679) HOME Record
21-9 (.700) AWAY Record
----------------------------
40-18 (.690) Overall Record
The Twins have the BEST RECORD in all of baseball.
The Twins are on pace to win 112 games (112-50) this year.
The Twins have an 11.5 game lead over 2nd place Cleveland/ChiSox in the AL Central.
The Top 4 teams in MLB appear clear. UNFORTUNATELY, 3 of the 4 reside in the American League.
Top 4 Teams:
40-18 Soon to be World Series CHAMPION Twins
41-19 Los Angeles Dodgers
40-20 Houston Astros
38-20 New York Yankees
#GoTWINS
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Twins confirm interest in signing BOTH pitchers Dallas Keuchel AND Craig Kimbrel
By La Velle E. Neal III
Minneapolis Star Tribune
JUNE 2, 2019 — 11:35PM CT
The Twins are interested in signing closer Craig Kimbrel, left, and starter Dallas Keuchel, moves that would fortify the pitching staff of a club that has made a surprising surge to baseball’s best record.
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. – It’s not a matter of the Twins choosing between lefthander Dallas Keuchel and closer Craig Kimbrel. At least for now. That’s because the Twins are interested in signing both, moves that would fortify a club with baseball’s best record. Two sources with knowledge of the Twins plans confirmed their interest on Sunday.
The market dried up for both pitchers because:
* Teams would have to forfeit a pick if they signed before draft day.
* Teams also would lose the slot money from their pool of bonus money that’s attached to each pick.
But those concerns ended late Sunday night, and the Twins have been in discussions with agents for both pitchers.
Kimbrel, 31, was 5-1 with a 2.74 ERA and 42 saves for the Red Sox last season. There were reports during the offseason that Kimbrel wanted $100 million over six years, which teams refused to pay. Now reports have him amenable to a three-year deal.
He had a 4.57 ERA during the second half last season and gave up eight runs in 14 innings during the postseason. Still, he has 333 career saves, and the Twins could use a proven arm in the bullpen.
And the Twins are believed to have more interest in Kimbrel, at this point, than Keuchel. The Rays, Braves and Cubs are among teams in touch with Kimbrel as well.
But Keuchel, the 2015 Cy Young Award winner, would bring an experienced arm to the starting rotation while allowing the Twins to move a current member of the rotation, Michael Pineda perhaps, into the bullpen. Since he’s in his first year back following Tommy John surgery, Pineda’s innings should be monitored closely.
Keuchel sought a five-year deal during offseason free agency. He recently let it be known that he’s willing to sign a one-year deal as long as it’s not lower than the $17.9 million qualifying offer he turned down from Houston.
The red flags with Keuchel are:
* he’s been on the disabled list in two of the past three seasons
* his strikeout rate dropped from 7.7 per nine innings in 2017 to 6.7 last season. His career average is 7.2.
But the Twins might be willing to take a shot at Keuchel on a one-year deal.
Buxton highlight reel
Byron Buxton doubled to right in the bottom of third and likely would have a triple if not for Miguel Sano being ahead of him on the basepaths.
There was nothing to stop him in the bottom of the inning from making a signature defensive play.
With Austin Meadows on first, the Rays’ Yandy Diaz sent a drive a few feet to the right of dead center field. Buxton flashed his tremendous speed while running down the ball and making the catch while slamming his back against the wall. But the play wasn’t over.
“Marwin [Gonzalez] was yelling at me that [Meadows] was already past second base,” Buxton said. “Marwin was there to tell me what I needed to know, and I just let it go.”
Buxton threw a one-hop strike to first baseman C.J. Cron that, according to Statcast, traveled 303 feet at 97.1 miles per hour. Meadows was doubled off to end the inning.
“The play up against the wall,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said, “He can do things that other people just can’t do.”
Buxton wasn’t finished. He scored the first run of the Twins’ four-run fifth inning on a safety squeeze by Jorge Polanco. Pitcher Ryan Yarbrough couldn’t have flipped the ball any faster to catcher Mike Zunino. Buxton simply outran the play.
“Being a lefty on the mound, I could get more down the third base line,” Buxton said. “So I cheated a little bit more. Polanco is an excellent bunter and he got the bunt down.”
Buxton was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a defensive play that took the air out of a rally.
La Velle E. Neal III is a baseball writer for the Minneapolis Star Tribune. He has over 20 years of experience covering the Minnesota Twins on and off the field. La Velle has helped out with basketball, football and college football coverage between baseball seasons.
lneal@startribune.com
612.674.4888
LaVelleNeal on Twitter
By La Velle E. Neal III
Minneapolis Star Tribune
JUNE 2, 2019 — 11:35PM CT
The Twins are interested in signing closer Craig Kimbrel, left, and starter Dallas Keuchel, moves that would fortify the pitching staff of a club that has made a surprising surge to baseball’s best record.
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. – It’s not a matter of the Twins choosing between lefthander Dallas Keuchel and closer Craig Kimbrel. At least for now. That’s because the Twins are interested in signing both, moves that would fortify a club with baseball’s best record. Two sources with knowledge of the Twins plans confirmed their interest on Sunday.
The market dried up for both pitchers because:
* Teams would have to forfeit a pick if they signed before draft day.
* Teams also would lose the slot money from their pool of bonus money that’s attached to each pick.
But those concerns ended late Sunday night, and the Twins have been in discussions with agents for both pitchers.
Kimbrel, 31, was 5-1 with a 2.74 ERA and 42 saves for the Red Sox last season. There were reports during the offseason that Kimbrel wanted $100 million over six years, which teams refused to pay. Now reports have him amenable to a three-year deal.
He had a 4.57 ERA during the second half last season and gave up eight runs in 14 innings during the postseason. Still, he has 333 career saves, and the Twins could use a proven arm in the bullpen.
And the Twins are believed to have more interest in Kimbrel, at this point, than Keuchel. The Rays, Braves and Cubs are among teams in touch with Kimbrel as well.
But Keuchel, the 2015 Cy Young Award winner, would bring an experienced arm to the starting rotation while allowing the Twins to move a current member of the rotation, Michael Pineda perhaps, into the bullpen. Since he’s in his first year back following Tommy John surgery, Pineda’s innings should be monitored closely.
Keuchel sought a five-year deal during offseason free agency. He recently let it be known that he’s willing to sign a one-year deal as long as it’s not lower than the $17.9 million qualifying offer he turned down from Houston.
The red flags with Keuchel are:
* he’s been on the disabled list in two of the past three seasons
* his strikeout rate dropped from 7.7 per nine innings in 2017 to 6.7 last season. His career average is 7.2.
But the Twins might be willing to take a shot at Keuchel on a one-year deal.
Buxton highlight reel
Byron Buxton doubled to right in the bottom of third and likely would have a triple if not for Miguel Sano being ahead of him on the basepaths.
There was nothing to stop him in the bottom of the inning from making a signature defensive play.
With Austin Meadows on first, the Rays’ Yandy Diaz sent a drive a few feet to the right of dead center field. Buxton flashed his tremendous speed while running down the ball and making the catch while slamming his back against the wall. But the play wasn’t over.
“Marwin [Gonzalez] was yelling at me that [Meadows] was already past second base,” Buxton said. “Marwin was there to tell me what I needed to know, and I just let it go.”
Buxton threw a one-hop strike to first baseman C.J. Cron that, according to Statcast, traveled 303 feet at 97.1 miles per hour. Meadows was doubled off to end the inning.
“The play up against the wall,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said, “He can do things that other people just can’t do.”
Buxton wasn’t finished. He scored the first run of the Twins’ four-run fifth inning on a safety squeeze by Jorge Polanco. Pitcher Ryan Yarbrough couldn’t have flipped the ball any faster to catcher Mike Zunino. Buxton simply outran the play.
“Being a lefty on the mound, I could get more down the third base line,” Buxton said. “So I cheated a little bit more. Polanco is an excellent bunter and he got the bunt down.”
Buxton was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a defensive play that took the air out of a rally.
La Velle E. Neal III is a baseball writer for the Minneapolis Star Tribune. He has over 20 years of experience covering the Minnesota Twins on and off the field. La Velle has helped out with basketball, football and college football coverage between baseball seasons.
lneal@startribune.com
612.674.4888
LaVelleNeal on Twitter
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So glad that Buxton has figured it out. You could see flashes the past few years but this year he is playing great ball.
If the Pohlads really want to go for it they need to allow the team to get one more starter and one more bullpen arm at deadline.
i just wish he would not crash into the wall so much; last thing we need is him getting seriously injured
Best part of that play was the snag by CJ. Huge balls.
i thought it was interesting that the Twins are interested in signing BOTH Starting Pitcher Dallas Keuchel (former Cy Young winner) AND Reliever Craig Kimbrel.
The Twins appear to have enough offense. Imagine if the pitching gets better.
Will be interesting to see what the Twins do. Normally the Pohlads are reluctant to open the check book.
Still scoring. They can fix pitching with some trades before deadline.
Agree, but some of those current hitting stars will fall back to normal and become the reason they were let go by other teams.
The Twins have yet to lose 3 games in a row this season.
Granted, the Twins won just 1 of 3 at Cleveland.
However, as a result of the just completed 3 game series at Cleveland, they only lost 1 game off their huge AL Central lead (now 10.5 games instead of 11.5)
The Twins head to Detroit.
Cleveland heads to the NY Yankees.
Expect that 10.5 game lead in the AL Central to increase.
#GoTWINS
In tonight's win at Cleveland, Max Kepler homered three times.
Kepler, who entered Thursday night's game in an 0-for-21 slump, connected in the first, third and seventh innings against Indians starter Trevor Bauer. Kepler walked in the fifth.
Only 18 players in major league history have homered four times in a game. J.D. Martinez did it with Arizona on Sept. 4, 2017. The last AL player to do it was Josh Hamilton for Texas on May 8, 2012.
It is Kepler's second career three-homer game. He also had one against the Indians on Aug. 1, 2016.
The Twins have had 10 three-homer games in their history, most recently by Eddie Rosario on June 3, 2018.
No Minnesota player has ever homered four times in a game.
Kepler, who entered Thursday night's game in an 0-for-21 slump, connected in the first, third and seventh innings against Indians starter Trevor Bauer. Kepler walked in the fifth.
Only 18 players in major league history have homered four times in a game. J.D. Martinez did it with Arizona on Sept. 4, 2017. The last AL player to do it was Josh Hamilton for Texas on May 8, 2012.
It is Kepler's second career three-homer game. He also had one against the Indians on Aug. 1, 2016.
The Twins have had 10 three-homer games in their history, most recently by Eddie Rosario on June 3, 2018.
No Minnesota player has ever homered four times in a game.
Max loves singles! I prefer home runs!
Watch:
http://video.startribune.com/kepler-after-3-homer-night-i-love-singles/510952272/
Watch:
http://video.startribune.com/kepler-after-3-homer-night-i-love-singles/510952272/
Here's a cool story on Kepler's parents. His dad fled Soviet occupied Poland and ended up in Germany. His mom left Texas to pursue her ballet career.
When they met in Germany?
“She was very young and occupied with her career,” he said. “I was very young and occupied with girls. I remember the American coming into the studio and was like, ‘Boy, I never saw anything like that!’ ”
The full story: https://www.twincities.com/2016/08/12/becoming-max-kepler-the-twins-feel-good-story-of-2016/[URL]https://www.twincities.com/2016/08/12/becoming-max-kepler-the-twins-feel-good-story-of-2016/[/URL]
When they met in Germany?
“She was very young and occupied with her career,” he said. “I was very young and occupied with girls. I remember the American coming into the studio and was like, ‘Boy, I never saw anything like that!’ ”
The full story: https://www.twincities.com/2016/08/12/becoming-max-kepler-the-twins-feel-good-story-of-2016/[URL]https://www.twincities.com/2016/08/12/becoming-max-kepler-the-twins-feel-good-story-of-2016/[/URL]
Twins 2019 Offense heading into tonight's game at Detroit:
AL Ranks This Season:
.271 Ave--T-1st
.510 SLG--1st
.848 OPS--1st
117 HR--1st
258 XBH--1st
+105 Run Diff--1st
AL Ranks This Season:
.271 Ave--T-1st
.510 SLG--1st
.848 OPS--1st
117 HR--1st
258 XBH--1st
+105 Run Diff--1st
Last edited:
The soon to be World Series Champion Minnesota Twins blasted 3 home runs last night to account for 4 of their 6 runs:
* A 2 run shot by Mitch Garver (10th of year)
* A solo HR by CJ Cron (14th of year)
* A solo HR by Nelson Cruz (9th of year)
The Twins beat the Tigers, 6-3. Cleveland beat the NYY so the Twins' lead in the AL Central remains at 10.5 games.
Watch the 3 Home Runs here:
* A 2 run shot by Mitch Garver (10th of year)
* A solo HR by CJ Cron (14th of year)
* A solo HR by Nelson Cruz (9th of year)
The Twins beat the Tigers, 6-3. Cleveland beat the NYY so the Twins' lead in the AL Central remains at 10.5 games.
Watch the 3 Home Runs here:
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